Mini-keg growler cap, components, accessories and designs for the same

ABSTRACT

A number of variations may include a mini-keg growler cap mini-keg growler cap including a head having an upper disc shaped surface and an opposite lower surface connected to a cylindrical side surface having a plurality of parallel striations defined thereon and defining three threaded ports formed therein, a tapered surface extending between the cylindrical side surface and the disc shaped top surface, and threaded nipple extending from the lower surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/972,845 (0010.0005.001), filed Mar. 31, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates includes containersand caps for holding fluids wherein the structure includes a sealingmember acting at the junction of the closure and closure support orcontainer mouth to oppose the passage of fluid therebetween.

BACKGROUND

Storage of carbonated liquids such as beer may include the use of aglass growler. Glass growlers temporarily hold the carbonation andtemperature of a liquid but leak gas which may result in lostcarbonation. Glass growlers are commonly rated for low internalpressures. Glass growlers typically utilize a metal cap to seal thecarbonation and liquid within the growler, which, when opened, releasescarbonation and exposes the liquid to air. Mini-keg growler variationsare disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 14/075,563, filed Nov. 8, 2013, andtitled Mini-Keg Growler, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

In a number of variations, a product may include a cap for a mini-keggrowler that may include a head that may include a pressure reliefvalve, a post for charging gas into the growler, and a dip tube.

In a number of variations, a product may include a cap for a mini-keggrowler that may include a head that may include an upper disc shapedsurface and an opposite lower surface connected to a cylindrical sidesurface having a plurality of parallel striations defined thereon. Agenerally tapered surface may extend between the cylindrical sidesurface and the disc shaped top surface. The generally tapered surfacemay include a head that may include a pressure relief valve, a post forcharging gas into the growler, and a dip tube.

In a number of variations, a product may include a cap for a mini-keggrowler which may include a head that may include an upper disc shapesurface and an opposite lower surface connected to a cylindrical sidesurface having a plurality of parallel striations defined thereon. Agenerally tapered surface may extend between the cylindrical sidesurface and the disc shape top surface. Flat portions may be provided onthe tapered surface to facilitate attachment of a pressure relief valvein one location, and a post at another location which may be used, forexample, for charging a gas such as carbon dioxide into a mini-keggrowler. A hose barb may be attached to the top disk shaped surface. Adip tube may be connected to the cap and extend down into the mini-keggrowler and may be in fluid communication with the hose barb. A threadednipple may extend from the lower surface of the cap. The cap may beconstructed and arranged with a first threaded opening which maycommunicate with an opening that also communicates with the through holeand the threaded nipple. A second threaded port may be formed in the capand may communicate with a through hole which may also communicate withthe through hole and the threaded nipple. Similarly, a third threadedport may be formed in the cap and may communicate with the through holeand the threaded nipple.

It should be understood that the detailed description and enumeratedvariations, while disclosing optional variations, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention willbecome more fully understood from the detailed description and theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a cap for a mini-keg growler;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the cap of a mini-keg growler;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a cap of a mini-keg growler;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a tap handle connector for acap of a mini-keg growler; and

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section of a faucet shank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative innature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention,its application, or uses. The following description of variants is onlyillustrative of components, elements, acts, products, and methodsconsidered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in anyway intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed ornot expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products, andmethods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than asexpressly described herein and still are considered to be within thescope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a number of variations of a cap for a mini-keggrowler, which may include a head 12 that may include an upper discshape surface 14 and an opposite lower surface 16 connected to acylindrical side surface 18 having a plurality of parallel striations 20defined thereon. A generally tapered surface 22 may extend between thecylindrical side surface 18 and the disc shape top surface 14. Flatportions may be provided on the tapered surface 22 to facilitateattachment of a pressure relief valve 24 in one location and a post 26at another location which may be used, for example, for charging a gassuch as carbon dioxide into the mini-keg growler. In a number ofvariations a hose barb 28 may be attached to the top disk shaped surface14. A dip tube 30 may be connected to the cap and may be in fluidcommunication with the hose barb and extend down into the mini-keggrowler. A threaded nipple 32 may extend from the lower surface 16 ofthe cap.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, in a number of variations, the cap 12can be constructed and arranged with a first threaded opening 24′ whichmay communicate with an opening 25 that also communicates with thethrough hole 31 and the threaded nipple 32. A second threaded port 26′may be formed in the cap 12 and may communicate with a through hole 27which also communicates with the through hole 31 and the threaded nipple32. Similarly, a third threaded port 28′ may be formed in the cap 12 andmay communicate with a through hole 29 that communicates with thethrough hole 31 and the threaded nipple 32.

According to FIGS. 3 & 4, in a number of other variations, a connector33 having a first male threaded nipple 34 and an opposite second malethreaded nipple 36 spaced apart by a nut portion may be threaded intothe third threaded port 28′ of the cap 12. The second male threadednipple 26 may be threaded into a threaded port opening 40 in a faucetshank 42. The threaded port opening 40 in the faucet shank 42 may bepositioned along the longitudinal edge of the faucet shank 42. Thefaucet shank 42 may include a closed first end 44 and an opposite secondend 46. A through hole 48 may extend from the threaded port opening 40to the first end 46 of the faucet shank 42. A beer faucet 50 may beattached to the second end 46 of the faucet shank 42. A tap handle 52may be attached to the beer faucet 50.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the faucet shank 42 showing thefluid communication of the through hole 48 with the threaded portopening 40.

The cap 12 may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, metal, metal alloy,or other metallic material or other material suitable for use in highpressure vessels. According to a number of variations, the cap may beformed or machined from a cast metal. The cap may be constructed andarranged to sealingly mate with the growler such that a cavity withinthe growler is sealingly closed off from the exterior of the container.

The pressure relief valve 24 may be removably attached to the cap 12.The cap 12 may define a through-hole into which the pressure reliefvalve 24 may be sealingly inserted. The pressure release valve 24 may beconstructed and arranged to allow pressurized gas to exit the growler atthe discretion of a user, while preventing atmospheric fluids fromentering the growler.

The post 26 may be removably attached to the cap 12. The cap 12 maydefine a through-hole into which the post 26 may be sealingly inserted.The post 26 may be constructed and arranged to allow pressurized gas orfluid such as carbon dioxide to flow the through the post, through thecap, and into the growler such that the contents of the growler becomepressurized. The post 26 may be a ball-lock gas post or a pin-lock gaspost as are commonly used in the beer brewing profession.

The dip tube 28 may be removably attached to the cap 12. The cap 12 maydefine a through-hole into which the dip tube 28 may be sealinglyinserted. The dip tube 28 may be of any dimension as desired, and mayhave a portion extending out from the cap and having a barbed end suchthat tubing may be affixed to the dip tube 28. The dip tube 28 may alsoextend from the bottom of the cap into a growler such that fluid mayflow from the growler, through the dip tube 28, and out.

The faucet shank 42 may be removably attached to the cap 12. The cap 12may define a through-hole into which the faucet shank 42 may besealingly inserted. A connector 33 having a first male threaded nipple34 and an opposite second male threaded nipple 36 spaced apart by a nutportion may be sealingly inserted into the cap 12. The second malethreaded nipple 26 may be threaded into a threaded port opening 40 in afaucet shank 42. The threaded port opening 40 in the faucet shank 42 maybe positioned along the longitudinal edge of the faucet shank 42. Thefaucet shank 42 may include a closed first end 44 and an opposite secondend 46. A through hole 48 may extend from the threaded port opening 40to the first end 46 of the faucet shank 42. A beer faucet 50 may beattached to the second end 46 of the faucet shank 42. A tap handle 52may be attached to the beer faucet 50.

In use and in practice, a mini-keg growler may be filled with a fluidsuch as beer. The cap may be sealingly threaded onto the growler. Thegas post may be used to charge the growler with a pressurized fluid suchas carbon dioxide, thereby maintaining the carbonation of the beerwithin the growler. The pressure relief valve may be used to relieve thepressure of the carbon dioxide within the growler. The dip tube may bein communication with a hose barb or connector, faucet shank, and beerfaucet assembly such that a user may allow pressurized beer to flow outof the growler.

According to Variation 1, a product may include a mini-keg growler capthat may include a head that may have an upper disc shape surface and anopposite lower surface connected to a cylindrical side surface that mayhave a plurality of parallel striations defined thereon and that maydefine three threaded ports formed therein, a tapered surface extendingbetween the cylindrical side surface and the disc shape top surface, andthreaded nipple that may extend from the lower surface.

Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in variation 1 whereinthe three threaded ports may include a first threaded port constructedand arranged to sealingly receive a pressure relief valve.

Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in variation 1 or 2wherein the three threaded ports may include a second threaded portconstructed and arranged to sealingly receive a dip tube.

Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1through 3 wherein the three threaded ports may include a third threadedport constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a gas post.

Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in variation 4 whereinthe gas post may be a ball-lock type gas post.

Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in variation 4 whereinthe gas post may be a pin-lock type gas post.

Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1through 6 wherein the three threaded ports may include a second threadedport constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a connector that mayhave a first male threaded nipple and an opposite second male threadednipple spaced apart by a nut portion and defining a channel therethrough.

Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in variation 7 that mayfurther include a faucet shank constructed and arranged to be threadedto the connector and that may include a closed first end, an oppositesecond end, and a through hole extending between the two such that fluidmay be capable of flowing from the second threaded port, through thechannel within the connector and into the through hole of the faucetshank.

Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1through 8 that may further include a beer faucet connected to the secondend of the faucet shank and a tap handled attached to the beer faucetand where the first end of the faucet shank may be connected to theconnector.

According to Variation 10, a product that may include a mini-keg growlercap that may include a head that may include an upper disc shapesurface; an opposite lower surface connected to a cylindrical sidesurface that may have a plurality of parallel striations definedthereon; a tapered surface extending between the cylindrical sidesurface and the disc shape top surface and that may have a plurality offlat portions on the tapered surface; a plurality of through-holes thatmay be defined by the cap on the plurality of flat portions wherein theplurality of through-holes may facilitate attachment of a pressurerelief valve in a first through-hole, a gas post in a secondthrough-hole, and a fluid outlet in a third through-hole; and a threadednipple extending from the lower surface constructed and arranged tosealingly mate with a growler.

Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in variation 10 whereinthe first through-hole may include a first threaded port constructed andarranged to sealingly receive a pressure relief valve.

Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 10through 11 wherein the second through-hole may include a second threadedport constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a dip tube.

Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 10through 12 wherein the third through-hole may include a third threadedport constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a gas post.

Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in variation 13 whereinthe gas post may be a ball-lock type gas post.

Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in variation 13 whereinthe gas post may be a pin-lock type gas post.

Variation 16 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1through 15 wherein the second through-hole may include a second threadedport constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a connector that mayhave a first male threaded nipple and an opposite second male threadednipple spaced apart by a nut portion and defining a channel therethrough.

Variation 17 may include a product as set forth in variation 16 that mayfurther include a faucet shank constructed and arranged to be threadedto the connector and that may include a closed first end, an oppositesecond end, and a through hole extending between the two such that fluidmay be capable of flowing from the second threaded port, through thechannel within the connector and into the through hole of the faucetshank.

Variation 18 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1through 17 and may further include a beer faucet connected to the secondend of the faucet shank and a tap handled attached to the beer faucetand wherein the first end of the faucet shank may be connected to theconnector.

Variation 19 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1through 18 that may further include a mini-keg growler.

According to Variation 20, a product may include a mini-keg growler; amini-keg growler cap that may include a head that may include an upperdisc shape surface; an opposite lower surface connected to a cylindricalside surface that may have a plurality of parallel striations definedthereon; a tapered surface extending between the cylindrical sidesurface and the disc shape top surface and that may have a plurality offlat portions on the tapered surface; a plurality of through-holesdefined by the cap on the plurality of flat portions wherein theplurality of through-holes may include a first through-hole that mayinclude a first threaded port constructed and arranged to sealinglyreceive a pressure relief valve, a second through-hole that may includea second threaded port constructed and arranged to sealingly receive adip tube, and a third through-hole that may include a third threadedport constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a gas post; apressure relief valve disposed within the first through-hole; a dip tubemay be disposed within the second through-hole; a gas post may bedisposed within the third through-hole wherein the gas post is aball-lock type gas post or a pin-lock type gas post; and a threadednipple extending from the lower surface constructed and arranged tosealingly mate with a growler.

The above description of variations of the invention is merelydemonstrative in nature and, thus, variations thereof are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the inventionsdisclosed within this document.

What is claimed is:
 1. A product comprising: a mini-keg growler capcomprising a head comprising; an upper disc shaped surface; an oppositelower surface connected to a cylindrical side surface having a pluralityof parallel striations defined thereon; a tapered surface extendingbetween the cylindrical side surface and the disc shaped top surface andhaving a plurality of flat portions on the tapered surface; a pluralityof through-holes defined by the cap on the plurality of flat portionswherein the plurality of through-holes facilitate attachment of apressure relief valve in a first through-hole, a gas post in a secondthrough-hole, and a fluid outlet in a third through-hole; and a threadednipple extending from the lower surface constructed and arranged tosealingly mate with a growler.
 2. A product as set forth in claim 1,wherein the first through-hole comprises a first threaded portconstructed and arranged to sealingly receive a pressure relief valve.3. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second through-holecomprises a second threaded port constructed and arranged to sealinglyreceive a dip tube.
 4. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein thethird through-hole comprises a third threaded port constructed andarranged to sealingly receive a gas post.
 5. A product as set forth inclaim 4, wherein the gas post is a ball-lock type gas post.
 6. A productas set forth in claim 4, wherein the gas post is a pin-lock type gaspost.
 7. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the secondthrough-hole comprises a second threaded port constructed and arrangedto sealingly receive a connector having a first male threaded nipple andan opposite second male threaded nipple spaced apart by a nut portionand defining a channel therethrough.
 8. A product as set forth in claim7, further comprising a faucet shank constructed and arranged tothreaded to the connector and comprising a closed first end, an oppositesecond end, and a through hole extending between the two such that fluidis capable of flowing from the second threaded port, through the channelwithin the connector and into the through hole of the faucet shank.
 9. Aproduct as set forth in claim 8, further comprising: a beer faucetconnected to the second end of the faucet shank; and a tap handledattached to the beer faucet and wherein the first end of the faucetshank is connected to the connector.
 10. A product as set forth in claim1, further comprising a mini-keg growler.
 11. A product comprising: amini-keg growler; a mini-keg growler cap comprising a head comprising;an upper disc shaped surface; an opposite lower surface connected to acylindrical side surface having a plurality of parallel striationsdefined thereon; a tapered surface extending between the cylindricalside surface and the disc shaped top surface and having a plurality offlat portions on the tapered surface; a plurality of through-holesdefined by the cap on the plurality of flat portions wherein theplurality of through-holes comprises a first through-hole comprising afirst threaded port constructed and arranged to sealingly receive apressure relief valve, a second through-hole comprising a secondthreaded port constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a dip tube,and a third through-hole comprising a third threaded port constructedand arranged to sealingly receive a gas post; a pressure relief valvedisposed within the first through-hole; a dip tube disposed within thesecond through-hole; a gas post disposed within the third through-holewherein the gas post is a ball-lock type gas post or a pin-lock type gaspost; and a threaded nipple extending from the lower surface constructedand arranged to sealingly mate with a growler.